Disposable cup with fold-down lid

ABSTRACT

The cup has a lid portion extending up from one side of the cup, configured to flip down into the body of the cup, along a first score line, going from convex to concave, so as to close the otherwise open top of the cup. Flaps extend preferably from the lid portion near its lateral intersections with the cup body outwardly from the cup, or alternatively from the cup body in the same area, but inwardly. In either case, the flaps overlie what might otherwise be a small gap between the lid and the cup body in that area. This reduces any possibility for liquid to escape via that small gap. In the case of the flaps extending outwardly from the lid, the flaps also tend to act as stops against excessive downward rotation of the lid, and provide an easy way to lift the lid to open the cup, if desired. The cup preferably but not necessarily has two secondary fold lines extending from the first score line to the outer edge of the lid portion, near opposite sides of the lid portion, which assists in holding the lid down once closed.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/303,010, filedNov. 25, 2002, which was a formal application based on and claiming thebenefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/396,123, filed Jul. 17,2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to disposable cups, and in particular toimprovements to disposable cups of the type having a lid portionextending upwardly from one side of a body portion of the cup,configured to flip into a closed position within the body of the cup.Such cups are described generally in the inventors' U.S. Pat. No.6,176,420, granted on Jan. 23, 2001, and corresponding Canadian patentno. 2,311,058, granted on Jan. 8, 2002.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Various features of the cups described in the inventors' priorpatents, referred to above, have been modified in order to improve thecups generally, and/or to adapt the cups to certain specific uses.

[0004] The lid portion of the cup flips down into the body of the cup,along a first score line, going from convex to concave, as described indetail in the inventors' prior patents. In the present invention,elements variously referred to as flaps or wings extend preferably fromthe lid portion near its lateral intersections with the cup bodyoutwardly from the cup, or alternatively from the cup body in the samearea, but inwardly. In either case, the flaps overlie what mightotherwise be a small gap between the lid and the cup body in that area.This reduces any possibility for liquid to escape via that small gap,for example when the cup is accidentally squeezed or jostledexcessively. In the case of the flaps extending outwardly from the lid,the flaps also tend to act as stops against excessive downward rotationof the lid, and provide an easy way to lift the lid to open the cup, ifdesired.

[0005] The cup preferably but not necessarily has two secondary foldlines extending from the first score line to the outer edge of the lidportion, near opposite sides of the lid portion, as in the inventors'prior patents. These secondary score lines encourage a slightly morevertical orientation of the lid portion outside the secondary scorelines, which assists in holding the lid down once closed, though the lidportion is shaped such that it snaps over into the closed position andtends to remain closed even without the secondary score lines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, thepreferred embodiment thereof will now be described in detail by way ofexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0007]FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a preferred variation of thecup, with the lid open;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective corresponding to FIG. 1, showing theflaps extended;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2, showing folding down ofthe flaps;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a side elevation view corresponding to FIG. 1;

[0011]FIG. 5 is a partial cross-section elevation view corresponding toFIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 6 is a cross-section elevation view showing a flap foldedover;

[0013]FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a variation on the cup ofFIG. 1, with no secondary score lines;

[0014]FIG. 8 is a rear perspective corresponding to FIG. 7, showing theflaps extended;

[0015]FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 8, showing folding down ofthe flaps;

[0016]FIG. 10 is a side elevation view corresponding to FIG. 7;

[0017]FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a variation similar to thatof FIG. 1, showing larger flaps, and reduced height of the body of thecup where the lip is formed;

[0018]FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view corresponding to FIG. 11;

[0019]FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view similar to FIG. 12, showing thelid folded down;

[0020]FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of the FIG. 11 embodiment, withthe lid portion up;

[0021]FIG. 15 is a side elevation view corresponding to FIG. 14, butwith the lid portion closed;

[0022]FIG. 16 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but showing flapswith a locking tab extension;

[0023]FIG. 17 is a top view of the FIG. 16 cup;

[0024]FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of the FIG. 16 cup;

[0025]FIG. 19 is a rear perspective view of a cup with the lid portionbeing a separate piece glued to the body of the cup;

[0026]FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective corresponding to FIG. 19;

[0027]FIG. 21 is a side cross-section of the FIG. 19 cup;

[0028]FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a glued-on lidreinforcement;

[0029]FIG. 23 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 19, but only theupper part of the lid portion is a separate piece, instead of the wholelid portion;

[0030]FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective corresponding to FIG. 23;

[0031]FIG. 25 is a side perspective view of a cup where the flaps extendinwardly from the body of the cup, instead of outwardly from the lidportion;

[0032]FIG. 26 is a front perspective corresponding to FIG. 25;

[0033]FIG. 27 is a rear perspective of the FIG. 25 cup, showing the lidportion folded down;

[0034]FIG. 28 is a rear perspective corresponding to FIG. 27, showingthe flaps folded down;

[0035]FIG. 29 is a top view of the FIG. 25 cup with the lid closed andflaps folded; and

[0036]FIG. 30 is a cross-section of the FIG. 25 cup with the lid closedand flaps folded;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0037] The cup 1 has a body portion 2, a lid portion 4, and aseparately-formed bottom 10 (conventional, and therefore notspecifically shown). The lid is foldable along a first score line 7, toclose the lid. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6,optional but preferable secondary score lines 8 assist in holding thelid down once closed, by encouraging a slightly more verticalorientation of the lid portion outside the secondary score lines, as canbe seen clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example. However, the lid portionis shaped such that it snaps over into the closed position (concaveinstead of convex) and tends to remain closed even without the secondaryscore lines. FIGS. 7-10 illustrate a version which does not have thesecondary score lines.

[0038] In the “winged” embodiments, the curled paper which forms the lip3 of the cup preferably has been removed for a short distance and is ofsimilar length to the secondary score line 8 at the point where thesecondary score line on the lid of the cup meets the upper edge of thecup body. This location can also be described as being formed by thatsmall area along the top edge of the lid where the primary score line 7meets the top edge of the body of the cup. Removal of the curled paperat this point allows for an extension of the paper flap formed by thesecondary score line past the upper edge of the lip of the cup, i.e. theflaps 30 referred to above. Where the flap meets the top edge of thebody of the cup and extends beyond the cup body edge, an additionalscore line 32 can be provided, running along the edge of the flapparallel to the top edge of the lid. This allows the flaps to be foldeddownwardly.

[0039] The flaps serve several functions. Firstly, the fold formed bythe secondary flap over the edge of the lid of the cup acts to hold theentire lid of the cup within the cup body. If pressure is applied to thelid in the act of closing the lid, the folded flap catches the edge ofthe cup body and acts to prevent the lid from moving further into thecup body beyond a certain point. The fold can be placed so that the cuplid goes to the desired position every time it is closed. When the lidis in the desired position inside the body of the cup, the fold preventthe lid from moving further down into the cup if the cup is squeezedwith pressure side to side, for example if some users apply too muchpressure to the lid of the cup upon insertion of the lid and so distortthe lid within the body of the cup. Having the score line and fold atthe top edge of the cup will act as a visual aid to prevent the lid frombeing pushed too far as the fold will catch the edge of the cup atprecisely the position where the lid is designed to be within the bodyof the cup. This keeps the cup more rigid and stable in the hand of theuser and helps to prevent spillage. The improved feel of a more rigidcup is also a positive attribute.

[0040] Secondly, the presence of the folded flap helps to preventsplashing of liquid inside the body of the cup when the cup isvigorously shaken side to side. Otherwise, there can be a small gapwhere the flap meets the edge of the cup body. If the cup is shaken in aparticular direction, there is a tendency for drops of liquid to escapeat the gap. The flaps tend to prevent such liquid from escaping.

[0041] Thirdly, the flaps can be grasped by fingers and by applyingpressure in an upward motion, the lid of the cup can be pulled up to theopen position. This facilitates adding more liquid, or cream and sugar,for example, and provides the design with reuse potential.

[0042] The flap can be of any size, the size only being limited by theamount of paper available in the template and how those templates arecut. As such the flap can extend out from the body of the cup and beused for grasping, aesthetic appeal, and play interest. For a children'scup, for example, the flaps can be used as ears, eyes, antenna, etc. orfor grasping to hold the cup or to remove the lid. As such the playvalue of the cup is considered to have additional merit.

[0043] Preferably, the flaps are folded from the inside over the top ofthe lid of the cup to the outside of the cup. However, as shown in FIGS.25-30, the flaps 30′ could be formed from the body of the cup and havethe flap folded over where the lid of the cup meets the top of the bodyof the cup at the secondary score line.

[0044]FIGS. 11-15 show a version in which the height of the cup isreduced, i.e. the lip 3 is lower than in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-10.This can be best appreciated by comparing FIG. 4 with FIG. 14. Since onewould not normally fill the cup higher than about the height of thescore line 7 in any event, the capacity of the FIGS. 11-15 cup isessentially the same as the cups of FIGS. 1-10, but with potentiallyless paper being used, depending on the cutting patterns employed in themanufacturing process.

[0045]FIGS. 16-18 show a variation in which the flaps 30 each include anextension 31, the extensions acting as locking tabs by fitting under theedge of the lip 3.

[0046] Other variations of the invention include a construction wherethe lid portion 4 is a separate piece from the body 2, as shown in FIGS.19-21, having an overlap area 35 for gluing or otherwise bonding to thecup body, or where a part 36 of the lid portion is a separate piece, asshown in FIGS. 23-24.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 22, separate pieces 40 may also be used tocreate a double layer of paper for reinforcement purposes, especiallyfor example for the distal portion of the lid portion, especially forhot beverages. FIG. 22 shows the reinforcement piece on the inside ofthe lid portion, but it could be on the outside of the lid portion ifdesired. Such reinforcement pieces may be applied to any of theembodiments referred to above, and to any of the embodiments referred toin the prior patent no. U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,420.

[0048] Variations include:

[0049] a. A semicircle of paper glued to the inside and outside of thelip of the cup near the edge of the mouth piece. In this instance thereis two thicknesses of paper at the leading edge of the lid near themouthpiece.

[0050] b. A separate piece of paper with the glued at edge ofapproximately 1 cm. In this instance two thickness of paper occur onlyat the glued edge and the leading edge of the cup at the mouthpiece is asingle piece.

[0051] c. The entire lid of the cup is glued on as a separate piece onthe side of the body of the cup.

[0052] The functions of these variations are two-fold. Firstly, theywill reduce paper usage during the manufacturing process, and secondly,will act to increase the rigidity of the cup when the lid is positionedwithin the body of the cup, i.e. in the closed position, especially forwhen the cup is squeezed.

1. A disposable cup having a body portion and a lid portion, said lidportion extending upwardly from one side of said body portion of the cupwhen in an open position, and arranged to flip from convex to concavealong an arcuate first score line into a position within the body of thecup and across the otherwise open top of the cup when in a closedposition, said lid portion having flaps extending laterally outwardlyfrom opposite sides thereof so as to overlie lateral edges of said bodyportion adjacent opposing areas where said lid portion meets said bodyportion.
 2. A disposable cup as in claim 1, wherein said flaps have ascore line generally aligned with upper edges of said body portion whensaid lid portion is in said closed position, to facilitate folding saidflaps downwardly along the body portion of the cup.
 3. A disposable cupas in claim 1, wherein said lid portion has two secondary score linesextending from the first score line to the outer edge of the lidportion, in a generally vertical direction when said lid portion is inthe open position, near opposite sides of said lid portion.
 4. Adisposable cup as in claim 1, wherein said lid portion has reinforcementpieces bonded thereto to provide a double layer and therefore addedstrength to at least portions thereof.
 5. A disposable cup as in claim1, wherein said body portion has an upper edge angling downwardly fromopposite ends of said first score line away from said lid portion, to ahorizontal lip portion thereby providing said cup with a reduced heightcompared to a corresponding cup without said downward angling.
 6. Adisposable cup having a body portion and a lid portion, said lid portionbeing integral with or secured to said body portion to extend upwardlyfrom one side of said body portion of the cup when in an open position,and arranged to flip from convex to concave along an arcuate first scoreline into a position within the body of the cup and across the otherwiseopen top of the cup when in a closed position, said cup body havingflaps extending laterally inwardly from each side thereof so as tooverlie lateral edges of said body portion adjacent opposing areas wheresaid lid portion meets said body portion.
 7. A disposable cup as inclaim 6, wherein said flaps have a score line to facilitate folding saidflaps downwardly along the body portion of the cup.
 8. A disposable cupas in claim 6, wherein said lid portion has two secondary score linesextending from the first score line to the outer edge of the lidportion, in a generally vertical direction when said lid portion is inthe open position, near opposite sides of said lid portion.
 9. Adisposable cup as in claim 6, wherein said lid portion has reinforcementpieces bonded thereto to provide a double layer and therefore addedstrength to at least portions thereof.
 10. A disposable cup as in claim6, wherein said body portion has an upper edge angling downwardly fromopposite ends of said first score line away from said lid portion, to ahorizontal lip portion thereby providing said cup with a reduced heightcompared to a corresponding cup without said downward angling.
 11. Adisposable cup having a body portion and a lid portion, said lid portionbeing integral with or secured to said body portion to extend upwardlyfrom one side of said body portion of the cup when in an open position,and arranged to flip from convex to concave along an arcuate first scoreline into a position within the body of the cup and across the otherwiseopen top of the cup when in a closed position, wherein said lid portionhas reinforcement pieces bonded thereto to provide a double layer andtherefore added strength to at least portions thereof.
 12. A disposablecup having a body portion and a lid portion, said lid portion beingintegral with or secured to said body portion to extend upwardly fromone side of said body portion of the cup when in an open position, andto flip into a position within the body of the cup and across theotherwise open top of the cup when in a closed position, and at leastone primary feature selected from the list comprising the followingprimary features: a flap extending outwardly from said lid portion so asto overlie lateral edges of said body portion adjacent opposing areaswhere said lid portion meets said body portion; a flap extendinginwardly from said body portion so as to overlie lateral edges of saidbody portion adjacent opposing areas where said lid portion meets saidbody portion; a flap extending outwardly from said lid portion so as tooverlie lateral edges of said cup adjacent opposing areas where said lidportion meets said body portion, the flap having an extension to fitunder an edge of the cup lip; a flap extending inwardly from said bodyportion so as to overlie lateral edges of said cup adjacent opposingareas where said lid portion meets said body portion, the flap having anextension to fit under an edge of the cup lip; and at least onesecondary feature selected from the list comprising the followingsecondary features: the lid portion, or a portion thereof, being aseparate piece from the cup body; secondary score lines extending fromthe first score line to the outer edge of the lid portion, in agenerally vertical direction when said lid portion is in the openposition, near opposite sides of said lid portion; reinforcement piecesglued or otherwise bonded to said lid portion; and said body portionhaving an upper edge angling downwardly from opposite ends of said firstscore line away from said lid portion, to a horizontal lip portionthereby having a reduced height.